Town to pay $7,500 for shade tree plan
RHINEBECK, N.Y. » The Town Board has approved a $7,500 proposal to develop a shade tree plan for portions of a 72-acre area in Thompson-Mazzarella Park.
Park representative Sue Sie told the board during a recent meeting that the plan will outline improvements needed as part of efforts to deal with climate change.
“Shade trees are really important, especially in light of ... warming temperatures,” Sie said.
The board agreed to hire Robert Eastman Gardening and Design to develop a shade tree planting guide and design a pollinator garden for Thompson-Mazzarella Park, which is off West Market Street.
Eastman wrote in a letter to the board that the shade tree guide would use information from a recently completed study by the Conway School to identify key locations that would provide habitats for native pollinators and wildlife.
Eastman said most of the park’s current trees are along a forested perimeter of the property’s boundaries.
“As a result, most of the park is composed of open, sunny fields, which are ideal for agriculture and food production, but create an inhospitably hot and sunny environment for park visitors, especially during the summer months,” he wrote.
Town Board mem
ber Chauncy Walker said newly trees planted should not be allowed to interfere with sports in the park.
“I’m all for shade trees, but I have questions about shade trees in relationship to the tennis courts,”
Walker said, citing concern about falling leaves and pollen. “... I don’t think I’ve ever played on an outdoor, uncovered court that had shade in the playing area.”
Walker also expressed concern that tree roots could damage the tennis court surfaces.
Eastman’s plan is expected to take about a year to complete.